WATCH: Cartel shootout forces Mexican mayor in border city of Nuevo Laredo to dive for cover

Riveting footage captured the moment a cartel shootout forced the mayor of the Mexican border city of Nuevo Laredo to run for safety.

Nuevo Laredo Mayor Enrique Rivas was forced to run for cover after a crew of cartel gunmen began shooting in a violent altercation that took place only yards away from a public event.

Although the mayor escaped unharmed, he was not believed to be a target. Military forces removed the official as a security precaution, according to local reports

Footage of the event captured displayed the moment when Rivas was in Silao Park when shots rang out.

The mayor of Nuevo Laredo Enrique Rivas Cuéllar (above) escaped unharmed from a shooting that occurred in a part of Nuevo Laredo where he headed a public event in the border municipality.

The mayor was seen reacting in shock as local reporters were told to hide for cover.

For several seconds, people were heard screaming and crying while Mexican soldiers and security personnel yell for people to keep down as they search the area to ensure no one was hurt and that no threats are in the area. Security personnel raced Rivas out of the event.

The Tamaulipas government released a brief statement stating that the shooting occurred in an area near the public event but that it was not a targeted attack on the attendees.

Just after the incident, Rivas posted a video on Facebook reflecting on the experience.